Taking a break on the drive from Charleston, WV.

There are several routes between home and the Charleston area. The shortest, 329 miles and (according to Google) 6 hours non-stop, passes by Seneca Rocks. It’s roughly half way so it makes a nice break in the drive.

The rocks are a quartzite formation that almost looks like a blade slicing up through the surrounding countryside. The current satellite view on Google Maps shows this well.

Seneca Rocks and the North Branch of the South Fork of the Potomac River

On the way home last Friday I stopped and spent about 1 1/2 hours just walking around. It was a pretty dreary day so I was shooting with the hope of coming up with a decent black & white shot, as well as some close-up shots of whatever else caught my attention.

For Distant Viewing

In 1943 and 1944 Seneca Rocks was a training area for the 10th Mountain Division.

Base of the Telescope

The Sites Homestead was established in the early 19th Century. The log cabin that forms the basis for this house was built around 1839. It was expanded in the 1870s and remained in the Sites family until the Forest Service acquired it in 1968. Quite a view when you step out the front door in the morning.

The Sites Homestead

Chimney and Window, Sites Homestead

Barrel, Sites Homestead

If your GPS can’t find Seneca Rocks, the coordinates of the road intersection (US 22, WV 55, & WV 28) are 38.834576, -79.376246. The entrance to the Discovery Center is a few hundred yards to the south. The Seneca Rocks Discovery Center is closed until Spring, but you can park on the lower parking area.